Japanese Heritage Night - Game Thread
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 6:45 PM PDT
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PrintSeattle Mariners at Los Angeles Dodgers, Jun 26, 2009 7:10 PM PDT
From the Dodgers:
As part of Japanese Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium, fans can sit in the Dodgers’ new My Town section in Reserve sections 56 and 60. Fans will enjoy Japanese cuisine and receive a commemorative, limited edition “ Dodgertown , Japan ” t-shirt. More information about the section, as well as future My Town sections, can be found at www.dodgers.com/sitinmytown.
To celebrate Japanese Heritage Night, LAPD Deputy Chief Terry Hara will throw out a ceremonial first pitch to Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Junichi Ihara. Actor Brian Tee, originally from Okinawa , Japan and raised locally in Hacienda Heights , will throw out a first pitch as well. Tee is best known for his role in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” Pre-game ceremonies will also include a Taiko Drum performance, a visit from the 69th annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival queen and royal court, and recognition of former Dodger employee Dick Walsh. Besides supervising the building of Dodger Stadium, Walsh organized the Dodgers’ historic trip to Japan following the 1956 season, which was the first of three goodwill trips by the team.
Also, tonight's postgame fireworks will be accompanied by Michael Jackson songs.
Here are tonight's lineups:
| Mariners | Dodgers |
|||
| RF | Ichiro | LF | Pierre | |
| 1B | Branyan | SS | Furcal | |
| 3B | Beltre | 2B | Hudson | |
| 2B | Lopez | 3B | Blake | |
| CF | Gutierrez | 1B | Loney | |
| C | Johjima | C | Martin | |
| LF | Balentien | RF | Ethier | |
| SS | Cedeño | CF | Kemp | |
| P | J. Vargas |
P | Kershaw | |
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Adrian Beltre gutting it out through his shoulder injury
from the Seattle Times:
The feeling, he said, "is like someone stabbed you in the shoulder,‘’ and it happens every time he has to lift his shoulder. As a third baseman or a hitter, that’s pretty much unavoidable. Eventually, he’s going to need another operation, but right now Beltre wants to keep trying to play. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that his trade value is now severely compromised, with the prospect that he might not make it through the season. An operation would knock him out for a significant amount of time. But he’s going to do all he can to avoid surgery
Are Michael Eaves and Mark Sweeney really in Cabazon (at Morongo Casino), or are they in front of a green screen?
It seems inefficient to send the “talent” to some remote location two hours away just for a 5-minute segment on the pregame show.
Seems like a pointless trip. Maybe Sweeney just likes to gamble.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions
OK, that makes a little more sense. For some reason I was thinking it was a more permanent spot location or something.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
They're been in Morongo since at least last Sunday.
At least Micheal Eaves has. They usually rotate somebody in and out for his wing man.
This year, Kershaw has:
one 6-pitch inning
one 7-pitch inning
two 8-pitch innings
two 9-pitch innings
two 10-pitch innings (including tonight)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
December 11, 2008: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the New York Mets with Ezequiel Carrera (minors), Maikel Cleto (minors), Mike Carp (minors), Endy Chavez and Aaron Heilman to the Seattle Mariners. The Seattle Mariners sent Sean Green, J.J. Putz and Jeremy Reed to the New York Mets. The Seattle Mariners sent Luis Valbuena to the Cleveland Indians. The New York Mets sent Joe Smith to the Cleveland Indians. The Cleveland Indians sent Franklin Gutierrez to the Seattle Mariners.
- B-R
How is Omar Minaya not called out on this?
He hasn’t been? Mets fans complain about everything.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I haven't heard much about this one.
Other than Mets fans was supposed to ‘fix’ their bullpen with the trade for Green and Putz.
The Mets gave up a lot of talent, and I haven’t seen much comment about that.
Vargas alone should get Mets fans mad.
Not that he should have been traded for that deal, though.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions
on first viewing, it looked like Branyan got him on the shoulder.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
What would you say…about a foot higher for a HR?
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Manny batting 3rd or 4th?
What’s this business I hear Torre saying? I thought he was a mortal lock in the 3-hole.
lol
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Jun 26, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
5 of the 8 batters have hit the ball hard off Vargas so far. I like those odds.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I saw this today via Rob Neyer's ESPN blog
an article on Slate regarding the difference in the “CF” camera on TV versus the actual direct center view. Pretty cool stuff.
Plus, the bunt was hit too hard, directly at Vargas
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Nope
It was a nephew of a brother-in-law
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions
That damn theme song is in my head now!!! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
BTW, Tonight's winner.
Ethier
2nd inning
402 feetby bucknellbruin on Jun 26, 2009 12:00 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
I have to ask
What prompted the name change here? Is Dashiell a character from Futurama (I never watched it)?
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Dashiell is the name of
…my cat!
named after Dashiell Hammett.
I don’t know why I didn’t choose underdog for Sportsnation, too, but wanted to honor my cat and use something different, in case I have any stalkers.
If so, that picture wasn’t taken at ESPN recently :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
He and Loney should combine their power, or their notes or something :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Meaning statistically speaking he would have generated more runs if he were 0 for 0 on SB attempts this year
Correct?
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I always forget the cutoff…is it as high as 75%?
But, to add to your point, Pierre has also been picked off 4 times.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Usually it doesn’t count as a CS if the runner is going back to the bag.
If a runner gets picked off, but the out is made at the next base, it’s a CS
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
It sucks because it’s hard to find that data without going through play by play :(
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Check that
those 4 pickoffs may be reflected in his CS totals…at least some of them. Weird.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
He really does look uncomfortable sometimes when he has to decide whether or not to come in, or dive
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
That was a weird fly ball too
I really thought he’d crushed that and instead it blooped into shallow outfield. Maybe it hit a bird on the way up, throwing Ethier off. Maybe I’m turning into Charlie Steiner.
See above, for note on his shoulder injury
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Too bad for Beltre its his shoulder and not his legs that are hurt. I still contend his leg injuries forced him to stay back on the ball in 2004, and really helped the timing of his swing*.
*yes, I’m aware there is a chance he could have been, ummm. enhanced somehow as well.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
You beat me too it
I don’t think it was the injury that helped….
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I must say, I do like the way home plate ump Mike Reilly calls strikes, at least his form of doing so. He has some style to it. ;)
The other Mike Riley…he of the 2006 & 2008 national title derailing Beavers…I don’t like so much.
Ah even better
than a K!
Welp, off to do some stuff and things. Catch up with y’all later in the game.
Notes from the Seattle Times:
Griffey will probably play LF the next two games (hit it to LF!!!), and Rob Johnson will catch tomorrow.
Doug Flutie will watch from home.
Luck has sort of flipped lately
Kershaw is getting out of all jams, Billingsley can’t.
Wow, that was low.
Loney should be stunned. I thought pitches for strikes are supposed to cross the plate, not go right of it.
If it helps
Gameday had it just outside, but not low. And ball 1 was a strike.
That Slate link above is cool, showing how the CF camera distorts our view.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions
…nah…he would have knocked Andre into row CC
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions
exactly…and Kemp would have gotten the RBI w/his triple. Although he probably would have passed Clayton between 2nd and 3rd!
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Ya
Considering the pitcher is on deck, and chances are he’ll end up at 3rd with 1 out anyway.
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't mind it
because Kemp lulled the fielders into thinking he was stopping at second, then when they eased up on the relay, he “stole” 3B on them.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Ha
Um, no.
Its Friday Night Lights. When Booby’s uncle is telling the scouts that his nephew can do it all…
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions
i was going to guess the horse whisperer next. Neither of which i’ve seen.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions
They just showed Gasol on TV
throwing the 1st pitch, if you are watching…the AP photo isn’t up yet.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
As usual Sons of Steve Garvey Orel is all over it….go there to see.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Tony Jackson would not approve of Furcal being awarded a sacrifice, since it appeared Furcal’s bunt was an attempt at a base hit
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Shocker
ain’t no money in the blogging business :(
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Just the 5th game for Clay K with 8+ K.
His 13-K game against the Giants in April was his only double digit game…so far.
96 pitches
tough call…maybe Torre lets him start the 7th…the old “1st baserunner, you’re out” treatment.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Although I hope Kerhaw’s spot (due up 5th) bats this inning :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I have no problem with Kershaw pitching another inning.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions
doesn't he have 3 multi home run games?
out of 13 homeruns, 6 came in games with a buddy
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Same as Pujols. Nobody else has more than 3 games this year.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
but then who for the 5 innings after that?
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m no fan of pitch counts, but I’d rather see him healthy in a couple of months. Let him go until he gives up a hit or a walk
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Still not sold on the nickname…it belongs to another!
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions
i like the respect…even if Kingman was a pompous surly ass. I’d never have the K-man on my team. Well, at least after college.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, you mean we can get something for him? If so, buh, and bye.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions
This was before the season though.
And waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before the Braves traded for Nate McLouth.
Why wouldn't the Dodgers be all over it then?
4 “starting” outfielders with the club, and with Paul having a good spring, Repko was moving down the depth chart anyway.
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
You have raised my hopes, for nothing. Nothing!!!
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Can't lay off the weed
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/49267777.html
Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, rated by many as the top pitching prospect in the Brewers’ farm system, has drawn a 100-game suspension for testing positive for a second time for a "substance of abuse."
The penalty leaves Jeffress, 21, one positive test away from a lifetime ban under the Minor League Drug Treatment and Prevention program.
Substances are not revealed under the minor league drug program but Jeffress admitted in the past to testing positive for marijuana near the end of the 2007 season, while pitching for Class A West Virginia. He received a 50-game suspension at the time, which carried over to the 2008 season.
So the Mariners traded Sean Green, but now they have a Sean White? All these Sean color names are screwing with my head!
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
If there is ever a Sean Siena, I give up
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Fly ball, line drive…tomato, to-mah-to… :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions
The Cardinals are “redoubling efforts to acquire” Matt Holliday, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strauss says the Cards have warmed to the idea of offering a multiplayer package to acquire him. They were previously reluctant to send a Ryan Ludwick-fronted package to Colorado in November. Strauss believes that the Cardinals would now probably be willing to offer Ludwick, one of Jason Motte, Chris Perez, and Kyle McClellan, and a prospect to Holliday’s current team, the Athletics.
- mlbtraderumors
Good oppurtunity to "buy low" on Holliday
though his production since leaving the friendly confines of Coors has to give teams pause
by Michael White on Jun 26, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
A's always seem to trade for the sake of trades though.
If I had to choose between Haren and Holliday, I would have taken Haren.
I thought only Smith and Gonzalez (2 of 6) were in both trades
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions
By “fine China” do you mean a nice lady who says “me love you long time”?
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions
AHHH…so by “buy” fine china you mean “rent” fine china. Gotcha. Leave her home tomorrow night.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I just found out that Lindblom was promoted to AAA
Seems strange seeing as he was struggling a bit at Chattanooga.
I thought he was among the league leaders in FIP and K%, at least as of 2 weeks ago.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I looked it up, just to see. Lindblom is:
15th in FIP (3.33)
11th in BB% (5.8%)
21st in K% (18.9%)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Very expensive…but one thing i really like about him is that he keeps pushing and trying to come back and he’s always with the team. I’m not getting all mushy on you guys because this is one of the worst signings in Dodger history (and that’s really saying something!) But I always feel that having a guy like him and Randy Wolf on your team isn’t all bad.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
It was the Rick Honeycutt leg kick adjustment, I’m telling you :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll never ever understand pitching mechanics.
How in the hell do sabermetrics explain pitching and hitting mechanics?
They aren't supposed to
but improved mechanics can lead to better performance, which of course can be measured.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
but in most cases ’mechanics" are very subjective
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
The evaluation of mechanics, so far, is pretty subjective, but the mechanics themselves aren’t. The physical motion of a windup can be reduced to angles and velocities and directions and time, it’s just that there hasn’t been much widespread work with these mechanics and what they mean. The problem is that the research is woefully incomplete, not that it’s subjective in and of itself.
--
Dan Szymborski
dan@baseballprimer.com
by D.Szymborski on Jun 29, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions
they don’t…some of that is all feel….there’s always a room for both the statistical/objective view and the subjective/experience view in this game, which is why i love it so
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Mark Prior supposedly had the most sound mechanics of any pitcher ever.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
One reason why the Dodgers shouldn't trade for Washburn.
Johns also notes Washburn’s balky left knee causes him discomfort every pitch. Mike Sweeney is quoted in the piece saying, “He can barely walk the four days between starts. His knee is killing him, he’s got a bad back. Yet every fifth day he goes out and pitches with all his heart.”
Never want to see someone who has discomfort every pitch, unless of course he’s Koufaxian.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
no shit…didn’t see that…i guess i missed the vote!
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I missed what Gurnick said
I can guess though. What a douche
He and Bill Shaikin both had pro-JP pieces out earlier in the week
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you f’ing pooping me? JP has been great the past 34 games, but no way he’s above the Andre or matt. No way.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions
and Steve Phillips was laughingly bad on Sunday night ESPN, saying he didn’t think the players would stand for Pierre being benched for Ethier.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
ahhh…that was why i was at the game and not listening to that idiot
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I should have taken you up on that offer!
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Suck it, Vin Scully’s stat guy! I had that first.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
starting tomorrow night…will be activated tomorrow.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm gonna call tomorrow night's pitching matchup
“a mismatch”. Thought the same thing though with Weaver v. Weaver, and we won that one.
From Lookout landing
If we could sent robots back in time and to kill Andre Ethier’s mother before she gave birth to Andre Ethier, this would be a tie game.
I don’t know how to stop.
by esoteric on Jun 26, 2009 9:42 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
Only thing I can think is that he had pitched in one game since Saturday. He’s just getting work in.
It’s a fine line though between getting in work and being overworked.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I would imagine J-Mac is the long man tomorrow behind Milton
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Ellis is the man tomorrow, although the clever DL Wade move is also a possibility.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Wade/McDondlad is probably tied to Vargas, and Jones to Manny
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
The Hyperbole Police just called. There is an APB out for you :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Still can't believe the Pirates cut him.
They had to see this last year. Even if he’s a knucklehead.
some attitude problems earlier in career…clashes with coaches, some missed practices, showing up late as well a few times. Nothing too bad.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions
are you talking about Alan Iverson or Latrell Sprewell? I missed something
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought the story was that he refined his new pitch in winter ball.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella on Friday defended catcher Geovany Soto, who tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic, by admitting he once smoked pot.
"Look, I have smoked dope one time in my life," Piniella said before the Cubs faced the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. "And it didn’t do a damn thing for me, and I never tried it again. I’m fortunate because of that. A lot of people do. You can even buy it in California from a pharmacy.
"I do know young people make mistakes at times and learn from mistakes. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life personally, and I’ve learned from them."
Torre said that Juan Pierre, who has filled in admirably in Ramirez’s absence, would play a day or two a week in center field upon Ramirez’s return July 3 from a 50-game drug suspension.
Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier will alternate as the right fielder on the days Pierre starts, giving the other player the day off.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-fyi27-2009jun27,0,2136245.story
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